ASTON Villa stewards are wearing Robocop-style "head-cams" in the latest move to crack down on football hooligans.

The club is the first Premiership outfit in the country to equip their stewards with the cameras which record everything they see.

The tiny head-sets give stewards a "third eye" when they are policing crowds inside Villa Park.

And the images are so pin sharp that trouble-makers are being warned that any footage caught on film will be admissible evidence in court.

Previously the head-cams were only used by police, bodyguards and nightclub door supervisors, but the fact they can record for up to 12 hours at a time in daylight or in the dark makes them ideal for football security.

The cameras, which are worn on a head-band, have only been used at a handful of home games so far, but Villa's Head of Security and Safety Operations John Handley said they had already had results.

He said: "We have been keen for some time to introduce new technology for match day stewards.

"In the short space of time that they have been used we have already seen a drop in the abuse levelled at stewards.

"The head-cams are light and comfortable to wear and as a result can be on the scene of any incident as soon as the steward arrives, without the need for bulky equipment.

"It is also reassuring that the recordings made are admissible evidence in court and we hope this will be seen as a deterrent by the minority of fans who ruin the occasion for the majority."

The headsets are made by Plymouth-based Cylon Systems who lease the tiny cameras to companies for as little as #15 a week.

Mr Handley added: "In time we hope to have a lot more of the head-cams in use throughout the stadium.

"It is important to us that we provide an enjoyable, efficient and safe match day experience for fans and staff alike."